A Nordic winter's chill was my only warning as I stood in a swimming costume on Mount Fløyen, staring out at the icy slopes below and the darkening sky. A cold wind blew through my hair, carrying the faint scent of wood smoke from the houses dotting the slope above. The stars were beginning to twinkle in the inky mid-afternoon sky. I had been hesitant to join my friends for a swim in Bergen harbour, but something about the prospect of slipping into the water that day finally won out.
The experience was unlike anything I'd ever felt before - the chill of the water seeping into my bones, the gasp of breath as I struggled to get my head above water. It lasted only a minute, but it was enough to spark a chain reaction of events that would change my life forever. As we warmed up with hot chocolate and shared stories of our experiences in the water, I knew that I had found something special.
I'd been feeling burnt out and disconnected from my own sense of purpose after leaving my job, and this swim was like a shot of adrenaline straight to the heart. It made me realize that there were still things that brought me joy - the simple act of putting myself in an unfamiliar environment, of trusting my body to adapt to new challenges.
Over the next few weeks, I found myself drawn back to the water again and again. I started swimming once a week, wherever I was. In Copenhagen, it was as easy as slipping into my flat's harbour pool during lunch breaks. But soon I wanted more - I set out on a journey to explore the Nordic countries, seeking out new swimming spots and meeting other swimmers along the way.
As I traveled from country to country, I found myself immersed in a community of like-minded individuals who shared my passion for the water. There were women swimming naked, while others took part in the annual Viking swims or competed in the icy waters of Sweden's Lake Vänern. Through these encounters, I began to appreciate the power of swimming to connect us all - to transcend our daily worries and find a sense of belonging.
One of the most profound experiences was my swim in Greenland, where the sea ice floated beneath me like a shimmering veil. The tiny island of Uunartoq was both fragile and unforgiving, its natural hot pool an oasis amidst the icy vastness. As I waded into the waves, feeling the grains of sand slipping from beneath my feet, I realized that this journey had given me more than just a new perspective - it had shown me how to find beauty in the most unexpected places.
A year later, as I sit here reflecting on the experiences I've had, I know that swimming has changed me in ways I'm still discovering. It's taught me to trust myself and my body, to be open to new sensations and challenges. And it's shown me that, even in a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming, there are moments of beauty waiting just beneath the surface - if you're willing to look for them.
The experience was unlike anything I'd ever felt before - the chill of the water seeping into my bones, the gasp of breath as I struggled to get my head above water. It lasted only a minute, but it was enough to spark a chain reaction of events that would change my life forever. As we warmed up with hot chocolate and shared stories of our experiences in the water, I knew that I had found something special.
I'd been feeling burnt out and disconnected from my own sense of purpose after leaving my job, and this swim was like a shot of adrenaline straight to the heart. It made me realize that there were still things that brought me joy - the simple act of putting myself in an unfamiliar environment, of trusting my body to adapt to new challenges.
Over the next few weeks, I found myself drawn back to the water again and again. I started swimming once a week, wherever I was. In Copenhagen, it was as easy as slipping into my flat's harbour pool during lunch breaks. But soon I wanted more - I set out on a journey to explore the Nordic countries, seeking out new swimming spots and meeting other swimmers along the way.
As I traveled from country to country, I found myself immersed in a community of like-minded individuals who shared my passion for the water. There were women swimming naked, while others took part in the annual Viking swims or competed in the icy waters of Sweden's Lake Vänern. Through these encounters, I began to appreciate the power of swimming to connect us all - to transcend our daily worries and find a sense of belonging.
One of the most profound experiences was my swim in Greenland, where the sea ice floated beneath me like a shimmering veil. The tiny island of Uunartoq was both fragile and unforgiving, its natural hot pool an oasis amidst the icy vastness. As I waded into the waves, feeling the grains of sand slipping from beneath my feet, I realized that this journey had given me more than just a new perspective - it had shown me how to find beauty in the most unexpected places.
A year later, as I sit here reflecting on the experiences I've had, I know that swimming has changed me in ways I'm still discovering. It's taught me to trust myself and my body, to be open to new sensations and challenges. And it's shown me that, even in a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming, there are moments of beauty waiting just beneath the surface - if you're willing to look for them.
I'm so inspired by this person's journey! Being outdoors and challenging yourself can be super rejuvenating 
. It makes me think about how important it is for kids to get out there and explore nature too, even if it means getting a little messy 
. As parents, we want our kids to stay active and have fun, but sometimes they just need a push to try something new. I've been meaning to take my kiddo swimming with me more often, maybe this will give us some ideas 
i mean, this person's life changed after one minute in the icy water, and now they're swimming everywhere, even in the harbour pool during lunch breaks. that's dedication, bro! 
but seriously, it's awesome how this experience brought them closer to a community of like-minded people who share their passion for swimming. maybe i'll have to try it out myself... but first, gotta get past my fear of freezing to death 
! It's so inspiring to hear how swimming became a catalyst for the author's life-changing journey. I mean, who wouldn't want to trade in a boring routine for exploring Nordic countries and meeting fellow swimmers? 
.
.
.
I mean, who knew swimming could be so therapeutic and connective? The author's story about finding purpose again after a job change resonated with me, tbh 
So people are still swimming naked in the Nords? I mean, I'm all for exploring new water spots and meeting like-minded individuals, but isn't that whole Viking swim thing a bit... extreme? Like, I get it, it's cool and all, but some people might not be into that. And what about safety concerns? I've heard those ice swims in Sweden can be super sketchy if you don't know what you're doing. Still, I guess it's all about finding your own thing and being willing to step out of your comfort zone... but can we talk about the importance of proper swim training before attempting anything that involves freezing your butt off? 
. BUT SERIOUSLY, IT'S WONDERFUL THAT YOU FOUND THIS COMMUNITY OF LIKE-MINDED SWIMMERS AND WERE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH THEM OVER YOUR SHARED PASSION. IT JUST GOES TO SHOW THAT THERE ARE SO MANY AMAZING THINGS IN LIFE WE CAN EXPLORE AND ENJOY, EVEN WHEN WE FEEL Burnt Out 
.
they went from feeling burnt out after leaving their job to finding a new sense of purpose and belonging among like-minded people 
especially when you consider the natural beauty of those countries, like Greenland's shimmering sea ice 
i'm definitely going to make time for swimming in my life from now on 
anyway I think what really resonated with me is how it can be a game changer just from doing something completely out of your comfort zone, even if its just going for a swim. I feel like we're always looking for that next big thing to get us excited and motivated again, but sometimes its the small, everyday experiences that end up having the biggest impact. like, who needs some fancy job change or adventure when you can find joy in something as simple as swimming? 
It's amazing how something as universal as a desire to connect with nature can bring people together from all walks of life. The fact that you were able to find beauty in unexpected places, like the sea ice in Greenland, really speaks to the idea that there's always more to discover and appreciate.
It sounds like it helped you feel more grounded and connected to your surroundings, even when you were in unfamiliar places. And who knows, maybe that's something we can all learn from - being more open to new experiences and finding beauty in the everyday moments.